Ice Crunching Weather
Listen. I am done with the cold. How can it be 75 degrees one day and 35 the next? I don't understand. It's April for crying out loud.
For those who know me, you know how much I despise winter. I wish it could be summer/fall all year long. This girl loves the lake/pool/ocean and football. If you can sit outside with a cup of ice and it melts enough to eat it without hurting your jaw...that is my kind of weather- ice crunching weather.
There is a simple beauty in winter though. Winter (to me) is painful. Some people love winter (like Tye), so this is merely my opinion and the way I tie it into my spiritual walk. Winter represents trials. We long so badly to rid ourselves of them. Trials are uncomfortable, painful. It is hard to see the beauty in them. It is hard to see anything, because often light is shut down by darkness. Trials ALWAYS have a purpose though, whether we come to know them while we are here or not.
The verse I came to love this past year is Exodus 14:14- "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Stillness and rest have always been important parts of my spiritual walk. I believe strongly in the "quietness" of the heart. I am a person that tends to listen to respond rather than to understand. Knowing that about myself, I must intentionally be still. In times of trial, the Lord forces that time. I know that He is reminding me of his presence.
Think about the good shepherd. There are valleys and pastures. Pastures are wide open areas while valleys are narrow paths. In Psalm 23, God is portrayed as a shepherd, caring for (verse 1) and leading (verse 3) his flock. When sheep go through valleys, their shepherd is near to them- always close by. When in the pasture, sheep are granted more freedom to roam. They have the ability to spread out a bit. As fun as the pastures are, which is more safe? Which one brings them closer to their shepherd?
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
When we go through trials, we are often closer to our Father. We cling to Him. Rely on Him. Speak with Him often. Do I think he "makes us suffer?" Not at all. Do I think he allows suffering? Absolutely. This past year has been a difficult one, but guess where my Father was? Right by my side. There is so much comfort in that. There is so much stability in that. As much as I want to wish the trials away, there is something sweet about having my Father so close. I pray that in trials ahead, I will find Him there. I pray that I will allow Him there. Right by my side.
For those who know me, you know how much I despise winter. I wish it could be summer/fall all year long. This girl loves the lake/pool/ocean and football. If you can sit outside with a cup of ice and it melts enough to eat it without hurting your jaw...that is my kind of weather- ice crunching weather.
There is a simple beauty in winter though. Winter (to me) is painful. Some people love winter (like Tye), so this is merely my opinion and the way I tie it into my spiritual walk. Winter represents trials. We long so badly to rid ourselves of them. Trials are uncomfortable, painful. It is hard to see the beauty in them. It is hard to see anything, because often light is shut down by darkness. Trials ALWAYS have a purpose though, whether we come to know them while we are here or not.
The verse I came to love this past year is Exodus 14:14- "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Stillness and rest have always been important parts of my spiritual walk. I believe strongly in the "quietness" of the heart. I am a person that tends to listen to respond rather than to understand. Knowing that about myself, I must intentionally be still. In times of trial, the Lord forces that time. I know that He is reminding me of his presence.
Think about the good shepherd. There are valleys and pastures. Pastures are wide open areas while valleys are narrow paths. In Psalm 23, God is portrayed as a shepherd, caring for (verse 1) and leading (verse 3) his flock. When sheep go through valleys, their shepherd is near to them- always close by. When in the pasture, sheep are granted more freedom to roam. They have the ability to spread out a bit. As fun as the pastures are, which is more safe? Which one brings them closer to their shepherd?
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
When we go through trials, we are often closer to our Father. We cling to Him. Rely on Him. Speak with Him often. Do I think he "makes us suffer?" Not at all. Do I think he allows suffering? Absolutely. This past year has been a difficult one, but guess where my Father was? Right by my side. There is so much comfort in that. There is so much stability in that. As much as I want to wish the trials away, there is something sweet about having my Father so close. I pray that in trials ahead, I will find Him there. I pray that I will allow Him there. Right by my side.
Comments
Post a Comment